Oklahoma State-Colorado Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch on College Foo

Colorado’s path to the Big 12 Championship is incredibly cloudy after last week’s loss to Kansas, but it can still deliver a stellar regular season in 2024 as a heavy favorite against Oklahoma State at home.

The Cowboys have had a disaster in Big 12 play this season after entering the league as one of the favorites and are now starting freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith. Can Smith hold his own against a stout Colorado defensive line that features one of the nation’s best offenses around Heisman Trophy standout Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders?

Oddsmakers are bracing for a blowout Buffaloes win, but how should we attack this from a betting perspective?

Here’s our full preview.

Radiate

money line

Total: 65.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Oklahoma State

Maealiuaki Smith: The freshman made his first start of the season last week and had some spectacular moments, passing for 326 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Smith is expected to be given the job in the team’s season finale as the group enters a tough Colorado crossover race on the road.

colorado

Travis Hunter: The favorite to win the Heisman Trophy will have one last exhibition game on Friday afternoon against one of the worst pass defenses in the country and a top-notch quarterback on the road. The Cowboys rank 112th in EPA/Passing defense, and Hunter ranks among the top seven receivers as the top target on the team’s pass-happy offense in terms of receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

The Buffaloes are heavy favorites in this game because Oklahoma State starts its rebuilding process early by going for freshman Smith.

The Pokes offense has had flashes all season, but the team has lacked the ability to stop the defense, and I expect that to be a similar situation for Colorado’s offense on Friday.

Oklahoma State’s defense allowed the following totals to opponents last season: 22, 42, 38, 38, 38, 42, 38, 56. That’s not pretty.

For the Buffaloes, the team’s hopes of making the Big 12 title game are in serious jeopardy, needing some help to make a breakthrough, but this will be the team’s last home game with a favorable matchup.

The implied team total for Colorado State is 40.5, and I see this as an opportunity for the Buffs to make a final statement in terms of Hunter’s Heisman Trophy candidacy. I think the team is coming out and getting on top of the Cowboys defense with a handful of explosive plays and plenty of scoring chances.

In a game that could quickly turn into an offensive exhibition, I’ll be partial to the Buffaloes’ offense being the obvious constant in this game.

PICK: Team Colorado Total OVER 40.5

Match odds are updated periodically and may change.

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